Science & discoveries / Preclinical study · laboratory and animals
Lariocidin: a new route against bacteria
A preclinical discovery targets the machinery that makes proteins.
Key takeaway
A promising laboratory molecule still has to prove its value in humans.
What was studied
The team identified lariocidin, a loop-shaped peptide produced by a Paenibacillus bacterium. Structural and biochemical analyses showed that it binds a distinct site on the bacterial ribosome and interferes with protein synthesis.
What was found
Activity against various bacteria and an effect in a mouse infection model were reported. The reported experiments did not observe toxicity in the human cells tested.
What it does not prove
Laboratory cells and mice do not establish dose, safety or efficacy in humans. This paper is not a clinical trial and does not make lariocidin an approved antibiotic. Resistance also requires further assessment.
Why it matters
The significance lies in identifying another way to target bacteria. An authorship correction published on 11 September 2025 added three authors omitted from the original list; we link it below for traceability.
Sources
- A broad-spectrum lasso peptide antibiotic targeting the bacterial ribosome ↗Nature · Jangra and colleagues · Accessed 5 September 2026
- Author Correction · 11 shtator 2025 ↗Nature · Accessed 5 September 2026
An editorial explanation referring to the listed sources. General information; individual interpretation and treatment require clinical assessment.
Updated 5 September 2026. How we prepare our content